Motorcycle Trip - Patagonia 2018

It is hard to believe, but today was our last day of riding. It was a wonderful (and long) day of riding, a great way to close out the trip. We left Puerto Bertrand at 9:00am and arrived at our hotel about 10:00pm. The majority of our day was spent on or around Lago General Carrera - this is the 2nd largest lake in South America. The water color is very beautiful because the lake is fed entirely by glacial water. We started by touring marble caves near Puerto Tranquilo. This was a one hour small boat tour where we got to go into caves created by water and wind eroding the marble. The formations that remain, the texture of the marble, and the color variations in the marble all go together to make this a amazing site. I think I took more pictures here than anywhere else on the trip. Good thing I have high speed internet now so I can add more photos and videos! After leaving the marble caves, we backtracked along the shoreline and continued further al...

Yeah - Fast internet is now available so I can catch up on my blog posts!  I have added photos to the blog posts from December 25 and 26 so be sure to go and check out the photos! Yesterday, when we were in Lago Posadas trying to sort out what to do with our lack of fuel, we meet two guys from Australia.   They were riding Kawasaki KLRs they had rented and were being trailed by their wives in a rented car.  They were also trying to sort out fuel options.   We ended up staying at the same resort.   Sometime over breakfast, I’m not sure when, Wilfredo struck a deal with the resort owner to sell us and the Australians some fuel to get us on our way. Argentina Style Gas Station After we got some fuel in our bikes, we went back to the gas station in Lago Posadas to see if they had received their fuel yet.   The plan was to purchase some additional fuel as a reserve if we needed it.   Still no additional fuel to be had.   Wilfredo then us...

As I have done in blogs for previous trips, I usually include some information about my riding gear I am using on the trip.    This is not intended to be a  full review of any of the riding gear; rather it is just a short list of the key items and why I chose each item. As you will see below, I have a mixture of brands of gear.  When I purchase gear, I look for maximum versatility to limit as much as possible the number of pieces of gear required.  Also, much of the gear I have had for some time so it may not even be available for purchase any more. I will start at the ground and work my way up. Let’s begin: Boots : For this trip I purchased a pair of Alpinestars Belize boots from Revzilla. I wanted a boot that had more support and protection than my regular street riding boots.   I also wanted something that was waterproof and had a strong sole that would provide good traction either when maneuvering the bike or walking.   Comfort when ...

NOTE: due to slow internet speeds, I am posting this blog entry without photos for now.  Once I get faster internet, I will add the photos and indicate in the blog title that photos have been added so you enjoy them. We knew today was going to be a long day so we got an early start; breakfast at 7:00am and on the road by 8:00am.   The first section of road after we left the ranch ran along side and then down in the old river bottom.   As there were a variety of water sources along the road, there was an abundance of wildlife to see.   Some of what we saw included ducks, geese, swans, ostrich, rabbits, fox, and many other animals.   Once we left the river bottom, we again got back on Ruta 40; fortunately, this section was paved.   Many times on this trip we have used the phrase “a whole lot of nothing” to describe some of the area.   This morning’s ride was definitely one of those times.   We drove about 2.5 hours and I counted 3 homes – th...

NOTE: due to slow internet speeds, I am posting this blog entry without photos for now.  Once I get faster internet, I will add the photos and indicate in the blog title that photos have been added. Last night, when we returned to our hotel after dinner, there was light rain.   This morning we woke up to clear, cool, and crisp mountain air.   The weather app said the temperature was 36 degrees F. with light winds. We are so ready for a day with light winds! Before we left town, we stopped at an ATM to get more local currency because in this section of the route, many of the gas stations don’t take credit cards.   Unfortunately, the ATM was out of cash.   While we were attempting to get cash, someone backed into Pradeep’s bike and knocked it over.   Fortunately, the bike only received a few minor scratches. Today we rode part of the famous Ruta 40, a major north/south roads in the region.   Much of the road in this section is still unpaved....

We are alive and well - just not much internet access here. Hope to post more tonight or tomorrow when we get closer to civilization again.

First, I want to wish all my family and friends a Merry Christmas.  I am sorry that I will miss all the family gatherings and celebrations this year.  Knowing I was not going to be home for Christmas if I did this trip was part of what I had to contemplate if I said "yes" to this trip. Also, Christmas this year a little sad as it is the first Christmas without my mom who passed away this year.  Not having either of my parents around for Christmas will definitely be different and take some getting used to.  This is also the first Christmas without Cathy's beloved Aunt Ann - rest in peace. Sr. Ann Redmond (1933 - 2018) We are currently in El Chalten.  The famous mountain peak here just outside the city is Monte Fitz Roy.  We got several good views of it today during our little outing.  I have also included another photo from the city. For our rest day, we took a van 37 km north of El Chatlen to Lago del Desierto (L...

The day started with me not being able to find my key to the motorcycle.  I checked all my pockets 3 times; checked the room multiple times and finally gave up looking.  Fortunately, Wilfredo has a spare key for each bike so we went on our way. The main highlight of our day was the visit to Perito Moreno glacier.  I have seen a few other glaciers during trips through Canada and Europe but this is by far the most beautiful glacier I have seen.  The other glaciers I have seen have been on a mountain side, while Perito Moreno is in the water.  Many times while we were there, small chunks of the glacier would break off and go crashing into the water.  The sound of the cracking ice and then falling into the water is amazing to listen to.  This glacier is huge; it is 5 km (3.1 miles) wide and 70 meters (229 feet) tall in the center!  Below are just a few of the photos I took at the glacier.  What you are seeing in the photos is less than half of...

My first photo of the morning was of Pradeep doing his yoga at the campground! We spent the morning sightseeing around Torres del Paine.   Again, not much I can say that will add anything, so I will just attach some more awesome photos!   I was finally able to take a photo of a guanaco that didn’t immediately run when we got close. In the afternoon we began riding to our next stop which was El Calafate, back in Argentina.   Along the way, we needed to stop and put in fuel because both Pradeep and I were down to the last bar on our fuel gauges.   We stopped at this gas station in the middle of nowhere.   We pulled in and the doors are locked and no one is around.   There was a house next door so Wilfredo knocked on the door, no response.   Wilfredo walked around the house, knocked on a few windows, still no response.   Next he l ooked in the garage, no one.   We went across the road to the police station and the...